Meier was "banged up" in Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets and was a game-time decision on Thursday. Meier's absence would be a huge blow for a New Jersey Devils team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) and is already without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. After a slow start to the season, Meier has 11 points (5G / 6A) and has fired 38 shots on goal in his last 11 games.
Markstrom was brilliant after returning from a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Markstrom has won consecutive starts for the first time this season and will hope to keep his hot streak rolling after having lost his seven previous outings (0-6-1), posting a .892 SV%. The Flames are -137 home favourites on Thursday and will try to take advantage of a Vancouver Canucks team that, albeit has won seven of their last eight (7-1-0), played an extra frame last night in a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders.
Meier was "banged up" in Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets and will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Meier's absence would be a huge blow for a New Jersey Devils team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) and is already without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. After a slow start to the season, Meier has 11 points (5G / 6A) and has fired 38 shots on goal in his last 11 games.
Markstrom will return to the Flames crease on Tuesday after being unavailable to dress in the team's previous two games due to an upper-body injury. In his most recent outing, a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, Markstrom saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), the first time he has recorded a victory when allowing two or fewer goals in a game (1-2-1). The Flames have lost their last two games but are -165 road favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that ranks in the bottom half of the league defensively (3.40 GF / GP).
MacDermid was a surprise addition to Colorado's lineup on Monday after Josh Manson and Samuel Girard were announced as scratches shortly before puck drop. MacDermid is yet to register a point in three games so far this season.
Markstrom did not dress in the last two games for the Flames as he was out of the lineup with an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return. During his absence, Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf each started a game, both losses. Markstrom is 2-6-1 on the season with a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV%.
Allen will return to the Canadiens' crease on Sunday after suffering through his worst start of the season on Tuesday against the Lightning. Allen allowed four goals on just nine shots before being lifted in favour of Sam Montembeault. Despite the abysmal start, Allen still owns a respectable .910 SV%, a 3.35 GAA , and a 3-2-1 record across six starts on the season. He draws a difficult home matchup on Sunday with the Canadiens being a +130 underdog against the Canucks.
Allen will return to the Canadiens' crease on Sunday after suffering through his worst start of the season on Tuesday against the Lightning. Allen allowed four goals on just nine shots before being lifted in favour of Sam Montembeault. Despite the abysmal start, Allen still owns a respectable .910 SV%, a 3.35 GAA , and a 3-2-1 record across six starts on the season. He draws a difficult home matchup on Sunday with the Canadiens being a +130 underdog against the Canucks.
Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.
The Flames have recalled high-pedigree prospect Dustin Wolf as Markstrom tends to an upper-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup. Dan Vladar will start for the Flames on Friday against the Maple Leafs, and it is unclear if Markstrom will be ready for their Saturday matchup against the Ottawa Senators or if the team will turn to Wolf. Markstrom has a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV% through nine games this season (2-6-1).
Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.
The Habs number-one netminder will return to the crease on Tuesday after Sam Montembeault got the call against the Blues on Saturday. Allen has enjoyed an incredibly hot start to the season, registering a .927 SV% and a 2.72 GAA along with a 3-1-1 record across his first five starts. He'll be looking to get back in the win column tonight after suffering a defeat in Arizona on Thursday despite surrendering just three goals on 35 shots (.914 SV%). Allen and the Habs are fortunate to catch the Lightning on the tail-end of a back-to-back, but they are still slight underdogs at +110.
Markstrom will start Tuesday against the Nashville Predators as the struggling Flames will be desperate to win consecutive games for the first time this season. The Flames' poor start to the season (3-7-1) has been highly scrutinized as the team ranks bottom-five in the league offensively (2.55 GF / GP) and defensively (3.64 GA / GP). Markstrom has a 3.03 GAA and .897 SV% and has lost seven consecutive games (0-6-1). That said, the Flames are listed as rare favourites (-131) at home against the Predators.
Pesce, who has missed the Hurricanes' last seven games with a lower-body injury, participated at practice on Monday in a non-contact jersey. His presence at practice is an encouraging sign for the Hurricanes, though his actual return to the lineup will be dependent on when he is cleared for contact. Pesce has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.
Hughes suffered an upper-body injury during Friday's loss in St. Louis after crashing into the end-boards in the first period. As previously reported, Hughes avoided the worst-case scenario but is still expected to miss time. While meeting with the media on Sunday, head coach Lindy Ruff called Hughes week-to-week. Expect Dawson Mercer to centre the Devils' top line with both Hughes and Nico HIschier out.
Hughes left Friday's game after a heavy collision with the end-boards and did not return. While there's been no official update from the team, words is Hughes is expected to "miss some time" but the "worst-case scenario has been avoided." With Hughes out, the Devils recalled Maxwell Willman from Utica (AHL).
